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After months of speculation, the NCAA has made a significant change to its eligibility rules after years of criticism.
On Tuesday, the association approved a system that gives athletes five full years of eligibility to compete in five seasons. Previously, athletes had four years of competition within a five-year window. Waivers will be granted only for pregnancy, military service or religious missions.
The five-year clock will start on an athlete’s 19th birthday or on the date of first full-time college enrollment if the player is younger. For North Carolina’s incoming basketball class, that means Maximo Adams’ window does not begin until January 2027, while Sayon Keita and Malloy Smith hit 19 next March. Kevin Thomas turned 18 last month, but his clock began when he enrolled.
The NCAA also capped eligibility for prospects arriving from the G League or international play at their 24th birthday. Keita is positioned to use all five years, but Alexandros Samodurov turns 24 in April 2029. Neoklis Avdalas, who spent one season at Virginia Tech, will not reach 24 until February 2030.
Senior forward Jarin Stevenson, who reclassified and entered college a year early, can now add a fifth season in 2027-28. Fellow rising senior Jaydon Young is two years older and turns 24 in October 2027, limiting his extended runway. Guard Isaiah Denis, whose 24th birthday falls in February 2030, would be eligible through that season.
Among the transfers, Matt Able has already logged one season and will not turn 19 until next month, keeping a five-year path open. Terrence Brown, a three-year veteran who turns 24 on Jan. 1, 2029, could also play five seasons. Cade Bennerman, who redshirted last year because of illness and turns 24 in January 2031, retains flexibility as well.
Below is a season-by-season breakdown of the 2026-27 roster’s eligibility under the new mandate.
Maximo Adams (1/21/2008): Eligible through the 2030-31 season.
Kevin Thomas (5/26/2008): Eligible through the 2030-31 season.
Malloy Smith (3/26/2008): Eligible through the 2030-31 season.
Sayon Keita (3/1/2008): Eligible through the 2030-31 season.
Alexondros Samodurov (4/20/2005): Eligible through 2028-29.
Neoklis Avdalas (2/4/2006): Eligible through 2028-29.
Jarin Stevenson (10/15/2005): Eligible through 2027-28.
Jaydon Young (10/5/2003): Eligible through the 2027-28 season.
Isaiah Denis (2/9/2006): Eligible through the 2029-30 season.
Terrence Brown (1/1/2005): Eligible through the 2027-28 season.
Matt Able (7/12/2007): Eligible through the 2029-30 season.
Cade Bennerman (1/15/2007): Eligible through 2029-30.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: What new eligibility rules mean for UNC basketball’s future
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On Tuesday, the association approved a system that gives athletes five full years of eligibility to compete in five seasons. Previously, athletes had four years of competition within a five-year window. Waivers will be granted only for pregnancy, military service or religious missions.
The five-year clock will start on an athlete’s 19th birthday or on the date of first full-time college enrollment if the player is younger. For North Carolina’s incoming basketball class, that means Maximo Adams’ window does not begin until January 2027, while Sayon Keita and Malloy Smith hit 19 next March. Kevin Thomas turned 18 last month, but his clock began when he enrolled.
The NCAA also capped eligibility for prospects arriving from the G League or international play at their 24th birthday. Keita is positioned to use all five years, but Alexandros Samodurov turns 24 in April 2029. Neoklis Avdalas, who spent one season at Virginia Tech, will not reach 24 until February 2030.
Senior forward Jarin Stevenson, who reclassified and entered college a year early, can now add a fifth season in 2027-28. Fellow rising senior Jaydon Young is two years older and turns 24 in October 2027, limiting his extended runway. Guard Isaiah Denis, whose 24th birthday falls in February 2030, would be eligible through that season.
Among the transfers, Matt Able has already logged one season and will not turn 19 until next month, keeping a five-year path open. Terrence Brown, a three-year veteran who turns 24 on Jan. 1, 2029, could also play five seasons. Cade Bennerman, who redshirted last year because of illness and turns 24 in January 2031, retains flexibility as well.
Below is a season-by-season breakdown of the 2026-27 roster’s eligibility under the new mandate.
2026-27 UNC Roster and Each Player’s Eligibility
Maximo Adams (1/21/2008): Eligible through the 2030-31 season.
Kevin Thomas (5/26/2008): Eligible through the 2030-31 season.
Malloy Smith (3/26/2008): Eligible through the 2030-31 season.
Sayon Keita (3/1/2008): Eligible through the 2030-31 season.
Alexondros Samodurov (4/20/2005): Eligible through 2028-29.
Neoklis Avdalas (2/4/2006): Eligible through 2028-29.
Jarin Stevenson (10/15/2005): Eligible through 2027-28.
Jaydon Young (10/5/2003): Eligible through the 2027-28 season.
Isaiah Denis (2/9/2006): Eligible through the 2029-30 season.
Terrence Brown (1/1/2005): Eligible through the 2027-28 season.
Matt Able (7/12/2007): Eligible through the 2029-30 season.
Cade Bennerman (1/15/2007): Eligible through 2029-30.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: What new eligibility rules mean for UNC basketball’s future
Continue reading...
